This Crock Pot Pepper Steak is a warm and hearty dish featuring tender beef, colorful bell peppers, and tasty seasonings. It’s super easy to whip up and perfect for busy days!
Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work! I love serving it over rice for a fill-your-belly meal. Plus, the leftovers are even better! 😊
Ingredients & Substitutions
Beef Sirloin: This is the star of the show, but you can swap it out with flank steak or ribeye for a different flavor and tenderness. Just remember, the more marbled the meat, the tastier it will be!
Vegetable Oil: I use vegetable oil for frying because it has a neutral taste. If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can use olive oil or avocado oil instead.
Bell Peppers: A mix of red and green adds a nice color and sweetness. You can easily substitute with yellow or orange bell peppers. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some sliced jalapeños for a kick!
Oyster Sauce: This adds depth to the dish, but if you prefer not to use it, you can replace it with hoisin sauce or just skip it altogether. You won’t lose much flavor!
How Can I Make Sure My Beef is Tender?
One challenge of recipes like this is ensuring the beef is tender, especially since beef sirloin can be tough. The key is in the cooking time and method.
- Sear the beef in a hot skillet to create a nice crust that locks in juices.
- Cooking low and slow in the crock pot is crucial. It allows the tough fibers to break down, making the beef melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- If you’re short on time, make sure to slice the beef thinly against the grain. This helps the meat cook faster and remain tender.
How to Make Crock Pot Pepper Steak
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Steak:
- 1.5 lbs beef sirloin, sliced into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers (one red and one green), sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce (optional)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For Serving:
- Cooked rice, for serving
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious crock pot pepper steak takes about 10 minutes for prep and then cooks for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. You’ll spend a little time searing the beef and sautéing the veggies, but the crock pot does the rest of the work!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Sear the Beef:
Start by heating the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the sliced beef sirloin. Sear the beef until it’s nicely browned, which will take about 3-4 minutes. After browning, transfer the beef to your crock pot.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
Using the same skillet, add the sliced onion and both red and green bell peppers. Sauté them for 2-3 minutes, just until they start to soften. Then, mix in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute. Once done, add this colorful mix to the crock pot with the beef.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce (if you’re using it), Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt. Once it’s well combined, pour this tasty sauce over the beef and vegetables in the crock pot.
4. Let It Cook:
Cover the crock pot and let it cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the beef is tender and full of flavor!
5. Thicken the Sauce (Optional):
If you’d like to thicken up the sauce a bit, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the crock pot during the last 30 minutes of the cooking time, then cover it back up to finish cooking.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooked, serve the pepper steak over a bed of warm, cooked rice. If you want, you can garnish it with extra strips of bell pepper for a nice touch. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Can I Use Another Cut of Beef?
Absolutely! While beef sirloin is a great choice, you can also use flank steak or chuck roast for a more budget-friendly option. Just keep in mind that cooking times might vary slightly depending on the cut you choose; tougher cuts may need a bit more time to become tender.
What If I Don’t Have Oyster Sauce?
No worries! If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can either omit it or substitute it with an equal amount of hoisin sauce or a mix of soy sauce with a little bit of sugar. This will still give you a nice umami flavor in your dish.
Can I Prep This Recipe the Night Before?
Yes! You can prep all your ingredients the night before. Simply store the sliced beef, vegetables, and sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. In the morning, just combine everything in the crock pot and cook as directed. This will save you time and make for a quick, easy dinner!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover pepper steak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if it appears dry. Enjoy it again over rice or even in a sandwich!
